Patient Library
At Bayview Village Dental Associates we are convinced that our patients deserve current, clear information about the technology, treatments and procedures we use in our practice. Each case will vary depending on the needs and concerns of each individual. The information presented is intended to educate the general public on common dental topics. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for a professional dental exam and consultation. Many people do not completely understand these dental terms unless they have had first hand experience with them at their dentist's office.
We hope that this information will provide you with some basic dental knowledge so that we here at Bayview Village Dental Associates can devise a plan to keep your oral health in check and give you the smile you deserve.
Abscess
An abscessed tooth is usually sensitive or painful. The discomfort is what normally alerts the patient to the problem. Occasionally, an abscess may be detected on a digital x-ray and treated before the patient experiences any discomfort. Left untreated, an abscess may compromise the immune system and in some cases may become life-threatening.
Anesthesia
New advances in dental medications have virtually eliminated the discomfort of dental procedures. There are several elements to creating a comfortable experience for your dental appointment:
Comfort and Relaxation
The first step is to make you relaxed and comfortable. From the comfortable environment in our reception area to the soothing environment we have created around the dental chairs, no detail is too small when your comfort is concerned. Our caring, professional staff are committed to creating a stress-free environment for your comfort.
Sedation
Some patients need a little help achieving a relaxed state. Nitrous Oxide ("laughing gas") is available when needed to make you more comfortable. Other patients have a high level of anxiety and choose sedation dentistry.
Topical Anesthetic
A topical anesthetic can be used any time the surface of the gum needs to be "numbed", such as easing the discomfort of a painful mouth sore or preparing a site for an injectable local anesthetic.
Computer Controlled Injections - The WAND™
We know that some patients get more nervous than others do at the mere sight of a needle and syringe. That's why this office now performs anesthetic injections with a revolutionary system called The WAND™. The source of discomfort for most injections, however, isn't the needle, it's the flow of the anesthetic into your tissue. The WAND™ delivers the anesthetic at an optimal flow rate for a comfortable injection.
The microprocessor inside The WAND™ automatically ensures a steady flow rate regardless of tissue density. Constant, slow flow is one key to virtually pain-free injection. The computer provides a flow of anesthetic directly ahead of the needle. This creates a pathway of anesthesia so you hardly feel the needle at all.
The WAND™ allows injections that do not numb the lips, face and muscles of expression. Whether injections make you nervous or not, The WAND™ helps us provide a more effective anesthetic delivery and the onset of anesthesia is often faster. You're more comfortable throughout the procedure, and we may be able to use new techniques so you won't experience the lingering numbness of your tongue, lips and face.
If you have any questions or concerns about anesthesia, we will be happy to discuss them with you. We want you to be as comfortable as possible.
Bone and Tissue Regeneration
When the damage caused by Periodontal Disease is significant, a Bone and Tissue Regeneration procedure may be necessary to save your teeth.During this treatment, your dentist gently folds back the gum and removes the disease-causing bacteria and infection. He will then place membranes, bone grafts and tissue-stimulating proteins to help your body naturally heal and regenerate bone and tissue.
Befor Regenereation After Regeneration
Regeneration of the bone and tissue, along with a strict home care program and increased professional cleanings, will greatly increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth.
Early Childhood Caries
Early Childhood Caries or Baby Bottle Syndrome is the rapid decay of baby teeth in an infant or child from frequent exposure, for long periods of time, to liquids containing sugars. The upper front teeth are most commonly affected.
The problem is usually caused by a baby falling asleep while nursing a bottle or while breast feeding. While the child is asleep, the sugary liquid pools around the front teeth. The bacteria living in every baby’s mouth then turns the sugars to acid which causes decay.
Common sources of liquids high in sugars are:
• A bottle containing formula, milk, soda, or juice
• A pacifier dipped in honey
• Breast milk
You can help prevent Early Childhood Caries by:
• Cleaning your child’s teeth daily
• Not allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle filled with juice, milk, or formula
• Not allowing your child to sip on a bottle filled with juice, milk, or formula for long periods of time as a pacifier
• Giving your child plain water when he or she is thirsty
• Making sure your child gets the fluoride needed to prevent decay
• Making regular dental appointments for your child beginning when their first tooth erupts
• We can provide you with more information which can improve the care of your child’s teeth and maximize their oral health.
Extractions
Extraction is the complete removal of a primary or a permanent tooth. An Extraction can be surgical or non-surgical. This depends on the difficulty of the extraction and whether or not the tooth is impacted or erupted, and whether it has straight or curved roots.
No one looks forward to an extraction, but modern anesthesia will help keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
Reasons for an extraction are:
• Advanced Gum Disease. This is the #1 reason adults loose their teeth!
• An abscessed tooth that cannot be saved.
• A tooth with decay too deep to save the tooth.
• A tooth that has broken at the gum line and cannot be saved.
• Impacted tooth (typically a "Wisdom Tooth")
Nothing is better than a healthy set of teeth, and many advances in dentistry allow us to save teeth that we could not previously, but sometimes an extraction is necessary.
When an extraction is performed, it is important to put something in the place of the missing tooth or teeth. If the space is just left open, your teeth will shift and cause many unnecessary complications. An extracted tooth may be replaced by a temporary or permanent bridge, an implant, or by a partial or complete denture.
Gum Disease
What is Gum Disease?
You've heard some of the terms: Plaque, Tartar, Calculus, Gingivitis, Periodontitis, Pyorrhoea, Periodontal Disease, Gum Disease. But what does it all mean? Quite simply, Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease) starts when plaque and tartar (calculus) are allowed to accumulate at the base of your teeth. The bacteria in the plaque leads to an infection in the gums (gingiva) called Gingivitis. Left untreated, the infection spreads to the tissue and bone that holds your teeth in place, a condition called Periodontitis (Pyorrhoea). Because of the bacterial infection associated with Periodontitis, tooth abscesses are also common.
This patient has Periodontitis. Notice the bone
deterioration and uneven level of bone.
Healthy gums and bone.
What are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Gum Disease is rarely painful, especially in the early stages. Although there may be no visible signs, some of the common indications of Gum Disease are:
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss (healthy gums will not bleed)
• Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth (receded)
• Pus (infection) between the teeth and gums
• Loose permanent teeth or separating (drifting) teeth
• Changes in the way your teeth fit together when chewing
• Persistent bad breath
Healthy Gums
Healthy gums are the foundation for your teeth, much like the foundation for your house. Healthy gums provide the support needed for your teeth to function as they should. Having unhealthy gums is like having termites in the foundation of your house. To the untrained eye everything seems fine, but progressive and often irreversible damage is being done.
What Are Healthy Gums?
Healthy gums
• Are light pink in color (darker for people with darker complexions)
• Are stippled, much like the surface of an orange
• Are not tender or swollen
• Don't bleed when brushing or flossing
Healthy Gums Don't Bleed
Gum disease (periodontitis) is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. It is known as a "silent" disease because it is rarely painful, especially in the early stages. Bleeding Gums Bleeding is often the first warning sign most people have of Gum Disease.
A Healthy Heart Starts with a Healthy Smile
Gum Disease can kill more than just your smile! Recent research has identified a link between Gum Disease and Heart Disease, and other health problems. The bacteria associated with Gum Disease can enter your bloodstream and threaten your overall health.
Making Your Gums Healthy
Patients with Gum Disease often require specialized Gum Treatment Gum. Visit your dentist to find out what is appropriate for your particular case.
Keeping Your Gums Healthy
Prevention and Early Detection are your best defense against Gum Disease.
• Brush and floss daily.
• Visit your dentist regularly.
• Follow your dental hygienists’ instructions for any special needs you may have.
Impacted Tooth
Impacted teeth are not erupted or partially erupted teeth that cannot fully erupt due to:
• Lack of space (crowding)
• Misalignment (tooth is rotated out of position)
• Conflicting position (another tooth has erupted over that position)
• Ankylosis - when other causes of impaction are not corrected in a timely manner, the roots of the impacted tooth can fuse to the surrounding bone creating a tooth frozen in a not erupted or partially erupted state.
The teeth most likely to become impacted are the third molars, also known as "wisdom teeth." The first molars are also known as the 6-year molars since they generally erupt at around age 6, and the second molars are also known as the 12-year molars since they generally erupt at around age 12. If the third molars erupted normally, they might be called 18-year molars. But there is rarely enough space to fit these last teeth into the small space left behind the second molars, so the third molars often become impacted.
This panoramic x-ray shows the impacted 3rd molars (wisdom teeth).
The upper wisdom teeth are crowding the sinus cavity and may erode the roots of the 2nd molars. The lower wisdom teeth are impacted sideways and are likely to cause crowding of the lower teeth, leading to malocclusion.
The most important thing to know about impacted teeth is that they almost always require extraction. The longer the extraction is postponed, the longer the tooth roots grow. When the tooth roots of an impacted tooth are allowed to develop. The risk of complication due to extraction increases significantly, because the tooth roots may "wrap around" sensitive facial nerves.
The risks of keeping an impacted tooth extend beyond the impacted tooth itself. Any impacted tooth will exert forces on the arch of your smile that may cause unnecessary crowding of your teeth. An impacted tooth below the gum surface may erode the roots of adjacent teeth. An impacted tooth above the gum line may create a "food trap" that is difficult to brush or floss and is likely to lead to decay.
If you have an impacted tooth and you are not FULLY aware of the risks and alternatives associated with keeping or extracting an impacted tooth, please contact us for an appointment.
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Root Canal Therapy
When the nerve of a tooth becomes infected or abscessed, Root Canal Therapy is the only way to save the tooth. A tooth can become abscessed as a result of deep decay, a cracked tooth , or trauma to the tooth. The only alternative to Root Canal Therapy is an extraction.
During Root Canal Therapy, the tooth is "numbed" (just like having a filling). Then the unhealthy nerve is removed and medication is placed in the tooth to treat the bacterial abscess (infection). After the infection is removed and treated, a filling is placed in the roots where the unhealthy nerve was.
A tooth that has undergone Root Canal Therapy is more brittle and must be crowned to give the tooth sufficient strength. The tooth is cared for in the same way as other natural teeth. Brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist for regular preventative dental check-ups.
The way root canal therapy is performed today is vastly different than those done a few years ago, not to mention a decade ago. The potential level for quality care has dramatically increased. It is a thing of the past to do root canals in five to six appointments, or by "touch or feel" because we could not see. Root canals can be done painlessly, faster, and more accurately due to the new technology available.
Non-surgical Root Canal Therapy
Root Canal Therapy is a dental procedure, performed with local anesthetic, which involves the removal of the nerve inside of the tooth because it has become irreversibly damaged or infected. This is usually due to the entry of bacteria into the centre most part of the tooth called the dental pulp (nerve). ROOT CANAL is a commonly used term for endodontic therapy or root canal therapy. This procedure involves the removal of the entire nerve system, as well as cleaning, shaping and 3-dimensional filling of the canal system with gutta percha and a dental sealer. The procedure enables you to keep your natural tooth, which is preferable to any type of replacement.
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
Step one: After the tooth is "numbed", a small opening is made into the pulp chamber. The canals are located and measured, so they can be cleansed and shaped.
Step two: The canals are filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha and the opening is sealed with sterile cotton pellets and a temporary filling.
Step three: The tooth is typically restored within a couple of weeks. A crown is placed over the treated tooth in order to protect it, and if the tooth lacks sufficient tooth structure to hold the core build-up, a post may be placed inside. Any areas of infection around the roots will begin to heal.
The number of visits necessary to complete a root canal will vary depending upon the degree of infection, the number of canals in the tooth, if the canals are calcified, the anatomy of your tooth, and the complexity of the procedure. We always strive to achieve the best possible result; therefore, your treatment may take one visit, or it may take more.
Sealants
Molars Trap Food and Bacteria
The most common area for children to get decay (like most adults) is on their permanent back teeth (molars). The molars have very deep grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces. This is where food and bacteria hide and form cavities. No matter how well your child brushes, it is nearly impossible to remove all of the bacteria from these grooves and pits.
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Sealants Can Help Prevent Decay
Sealants are a white or tooth shaded material that is bonded to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, sealing off deep grooves and pits. This makes the grooves of the teeth smoother so your toothbrush can more easily keep the tooth clean.
How are Sealants applied?
Applying sealants is a simple procedure. The teeth are first cleaned, then etched with a solution to help the sealant adhere. Next, the sealant is brushed on, then a special light is used to harden the material. The procedure is "child-friendly" because there is no need for anesthetic or drilling.
When should my Child have Sealants applied?
Sealants are recommended for all children when they get their permanent first molars (around 6 years of age) and when they get their permanent second molars (around 12 years of age).
Before Sealants After Sealants
Sports Guard
A specially fabricated mouth guard can be made for your teeth. This guard fits over the upper or lower teeth to prevent broken or chipped teeth due to tooth-to-tooth contact. It is appropriate for sports where incidental contact with solid objects and other participants is common.
The smaller size and secure fit of a custom lab created mouth guard provides these advantages:
• Clearer speech - when communication with team-mates is important
• More comfortable fit - so it's less distracting
• Less restricted breathing - for improved performance
Dental injuries in sports are primarily due to tooth-to-tooth contact. Being accidentally bumped in the chin with an elbow is not what directly causes most dental injuries. It's the collision of the lower teeth with the upper teeth after the bump that causes the damage. A mouth guard worn on the upper or lower teeth cushions the blow to protect both the upper and lower teeth.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Teeth become discolored for different reasons:
• Drinking coffee, tea, or colas.
• Some antibiotics may darken developing teeth in children.
• Ageing - The dentin underneath the enamel of a tooth gradually darkens with age.
• Use of tobacco products.
• Accidents, If a tooth has been traumatized, sometimes the nerve will gradually "die", and the tooth becomes dark.
• After Root Canal Therapy, a tooth will generally darken.
What Can Be Done About Tooth Discoloration?
The four most common remedies for tooth discoloration are:
• Bonding
• Bleaching
• Veneers
• Crowns
Each patient must be evaluated individually, so contact us to set up a consultation. Your dentist will discuss the appropriate options with you for your particular case.
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